Al-Qaeda media backers handed 23 years

Lebanese men walk past a burnt-out car on a damaged street in Tripoli’s Bab al-Tabbaneh Sunni neighbourhood on October 28, 2014 after three days of fierce fighting between Lebanese forces and armed Islamists that are accused of ties to Al-Qaeda.

Two people have been sentenced to 23 years in prison combined for supporting Al-Qaeda through media campaigns, funding terror organizations and inciting violence.

The first suspect was sentenced to 16 years in prison and a travel ban equal to his prison term for joining Al-Qaeda and making a film through Al-Sahab, Al-Qaeda’s propaganda arm, in which he openly expresses willingness to help leaders carry out terrorist operations.

He also calls on fighters to carry out operations within the Kingdom and dissent against the government.

The second defendant was sentenced to seven years in prison and fined SR5,000 for his involvement with terror groups and for traveling to Dubai, Pakistan and Afghanistan to fight alongside terrorists.

He was also found guilty of communicating with Al-Qaeda leaders in Afghanistan and transferring funds from the Kingdom to individuals in the UAE to support fighters in Afghanistan.